Narrow Kerf Advatage -less pinch

[davidwyby]

Felling and bucking dead pines and firs this weekend with Woodslasher, I noticed the stihl 23rsp on my XS 346 with Oregon 20” bar was less likely to get pinched than saws with full size 3/8”. On logs that were hard to read tension, could cut from one side, feel it start to close, and slide it out and go to the other side. I spose because the chain is not much wider than the bar so the bar would allow it to slide out.

Wanna set up a 24” bar with this chain. The 346 is so light and handy…

 

[nixon]

I run pretty much the same set up on my 346 , 350/346 . 78dl .325nk chain on the Oregon NK bar . Are you using an NK bar ,or standard bar ,NK chain?

 

[davidwyby]

I run pretty much the same set up on my 346 , 350/346 . 78dl .325nk chain on the Oregon NK bar . Are you using an NK bar ,or standard bar ,NK chain?

I’m not sure if the bar is NK or not. It’s Oregon .050”. I think it’s std.

 

[Timjus]

cutting width difference is very small .
but drive sprocket size is huge in same pin count 3/8 vs 325.
7 pin 325 is torq animal where 8 pin 325 takes more power then 3/8" 7 pin

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

I run an 8T .325 NK on a 16" bar on an 034. It works well for me in hardwood.

The 8T reduces your torque about 15% compared to a 7T. But the NK chain reduces the cutting effort by around 15%. In practice I find it's pretty much a wash, and I get the faster chain speed of the 8T "for free".

Haven't really decided if it's any better for pinching since that b&c is mostly for bucking firewood logs I've got setup not to pinch.

 

[davidwyby]

My 20” Oregon bar is .180” thick. The NK kerf is .230”. 3/8” chain is .260” kerf ‘bout half worn out.

@huskihl astutely pointed out that the NK being closer to the bar width means the operator can feel the pinch sooner, and I agree now that he mentioned it. More warning. It also makes it easier to get out once you realize it.

 

[davidwyby]

24" 3/8" lo pro kinda chokes on chips in fibrous wood and full chis dulls quickly. Gonna switch the 346 to full 3/8" skip square.

 

[Timjus]

not having good day with sp33g. back to rs pro it is

 

[davidwyby]

@Timjus won't bore and broke chain? I coudn't get oregon speedcut or their full size 3/8" semi chisel to bore. Stihl 3/8" semi chis safety bores awesome.

 

[Hundred Acre Wood]

not having good day with sp33g. back to rs pro it is

That's just frustrating. I've had no issues bore cutting small dead ash with the Stihl 23RS Pro full chisel. Kickback is mild and cuts like a dream.

 

[Timjus]

@Timjus won't bore and broke chain? I coudn't get oregon speedcut or their full size 3/8" semi chisel to bore. Stihl 3/8" semi chis safety bores awesome.

just swapped new bar and it has smaller nose and it doesnt like to bore with safety chain.
i have had many sp33g chains just snap. Sthil rs pro seems to hold just fine

 

[davidwyby]

23rs is wicked. On ported 346 in dead softish pine/fir, I can hardly tell when it’s losing its fine cutting edge. Just keeps blowing through wood.

 

[AlexStromberg]

just swapped new bar and it has smaller nose and it doesnt like to bore with safety chain.
i have had many sp33g chains just snap. Sthil rs pro seems to hold just fine

I sell 100s of sp33g, not had even one come back due to it snapping and i think it's very efficient at bore cutting. Most 550s are equipped with it here and bore cutting is standard practice.

 

[Timjus]

i have used sp33g many years but now when im used to rs pro and c85 chain it is not for me anymore.
for now new setting. had to get 16" bar so i can get stock box chains and not to order custom lenght.